2nd Annual Hipmunk Millennial Travel Habits Study [Data Chart]

by

Hipmunk Staff

-

April 1, 2015

In 2014, Hipmunk launched its annual Millennial Travel Habits Study to uncover how millennials travel differently than their generation X and mature traveler counterparts. What we found was enlightening, informative and oftentimes humorous. Did you ever expect a millennial to be willing to stand for the duration of a flight to save a few bucks? Neither did we. Once again, we’ve polled American travelers to follow up on last year’s most surprising questions and added a few new ones to stay fresh. Below you’ll find the full data set with questions and responses. You’ll notice that we compare the millennial responses to the generation X responses. Why? Because it just never gets old. If you’re not a data nerd, you can check out an easier to digest infographic here.

1. How many leisure trips requiring hotel stays do you plan to take in 2015?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

0

1.2%

1.0%

1-3

56.9%

52.7%

4-6

32.5%

33.5%

7-9

6.7%

7.4%

10-12

1.0%

2.5%

More than 12

1.7%

2.9%

2. How many leisure trips requiring flights do you plan to take in 2015?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

More of the mature audience

2.2%

6.4%

1-3

62.2%

66.9%

4-6

27.0%

21.8%

7-9

5.5%

3.5%

10-12

1.2%

0.8%

More than 12

1.9%

0.6%

3. Are you planning on taking more leisure trips in 2015 than you did in 2014?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

62.7%

56.0%

No

37.3%

44.0%

4 Are you planning on checking something off your travel bucket list in 2015?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

73.7%

60.1%

No

26.3%

39.9%

5. Do you prefer vacation rentals over hotels for leisure travel?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

49.6%

52.3%

No

50.4%

47.7%

6. Have you stayed at a vacation rental for business travel?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

12.8%

15.2%

No

87.2%

84.8%

7. Do you have a passport?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

93.5%

85.2%

No

6.5%

14.8%

8. Do you have a credit card that earns miles or hotel points?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

54.9%

57.6%

No

45.1%

42.4%

9. Do you consider yourself a travel hacker?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

46.9%

32.5%

No

53.1%

67.5%

10. What is your approach to travel planning?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

I plan ahead by a few months

74.8%

80.7%

I plan ahead by a few weeks

22.3%

17.5%

I plan ahead by a few days

2.4%

1.0%

I’m a same-day booker

0.5%

0.8%

11. How likely are you to engage in peer-to-peer activities while traveling? Examples of peer-to-peer activities are: renting an Airbnb apartment rather than a hotel room, taking an Uber or Lyft ride rather than a taxi, and scheduling a city tour with a local resident instead of through a tourism company.

Answer Options

Not likely

Not likely

9.7%

20.7%

Somewhat likely

19.1%

19.2%

Not sure

9.7%

18.3%

Likely

30.0%

24.9%

Very Likely

31.6%

16.9%

12. Which in-flight amenity is most important to you?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Wi-fi

23.5%

26.2%

Gourmet snack boxes

7.8%

5.6%

An in-flight entertainment system

36.7%

31.4%

Individual seat electrical outlets

19.0%

16.1%

Premium economy options

12.9%

20.6%

13. What’s your favorite hotel perk?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

High end toiletries

5.8%

4.5%

iPhone docking station

0.0%

0.2%

Mood lighting

0.5%

0.0%

Free breakfast

29.9%

28.2%

Free fitness classes (yoga, spin, etc.)

2.3%

1.3%

Pool

7.3%

8.0%

Free, fast wi-fi

42.8%

44.3%

Not having to clean your own room (maid service)

10.9%

12.5%

Concierge assistance

0.5%

1.1%

14. Which of these offerings would most impact your decision to stay at a specific hotel? (Please choose all that apply)

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Integration of technology throughout hotel

49.9%

39.4%

Hosted social activities to meet other guests

14.2%

9.5%

Supplemental opportunities to earn loyalty points (for example, a bonus of 5,000 points if you order room service)

34.2%

36.3%

Live music performances by local artists

25.6%

18.7%

A guest room with a smaller sleeping area and bigger entertaining space

12.2%

19.4%

Knowing a portion of your room rate is donated to charity

24.3%

18.9%

Ample outdoor space/gardens

32.4%

25.2%

Ability to check in and out through kiosk or smartphone (no interaction with reception desk)

38.2%

31.8%

Partnership in a peer-to-peer network that pairs you with a local resident for tours and other activities

26.8%

17.0%

The ability to get you into sold-out shows and restaurants

29.4%

23.9%

A central charging station where you can charge all your electronics at once

27.3%

32.9%

A less “spa-like” bathroom, but free snacks

26.8%

21.5%

15. What amenity would you most like to see in an airport? (Please choose all that apply)

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Barber shop / Hair salon

9.6%

8.6%

Nap room

54.2%

44.3%

Free business center

27.3%

30.3%

Whiskey bar

31.6%

16.8%

Celebrity chef restaurant

19.0%

23.7%

Gym

26.8%

19.8%

Art Gallery

18.2%

19.8%

Arcade

29.9%

15.5%

Singles lounge

12.4%

7.7%

Live music

32.4%

31.8%

Apple Store / Genius Bar

11.6%

14.2%

Board game room

32.7%

18.9%

16. If you’re single, would you use an in-flight app like “Tinder for Flights?”

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

18.0%

9.1%

No

28.2%

24.7%

I’m not single

53.8%

66.2%

17. Would you be willing to pay more to fly on a child-free plane?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

35.5%

28.6%

No

64.5%

71.4%

18. Would you choose to sit next to the restrooms if those seats were offered at a discount?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

65.6%

50.9%

No

34.4%

49.1%

19. Would you be willing to pay more for an open bar on the plane?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

43.7%

23.5%

No

56.3%

76.5%

20. Would you be willing to stand on a flight to save money?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Yes

32.8%

14.3%

No

67.2%

85.7%

21. Would you rather have free luggage or free snacks & beverages?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Free Luggage

79.2%

87.6%

Free Snacks & Beverages

20.8%

12.4%

22. Would you talk to the stranger sitting next to you or would you stay quiet for the duration of the flight?

Answer Options

Millennials

Generation X

Talk to the stranger

36.0%

46.1%

Stay silent

64.0%

53.9%

23. Would you prefer to sit next to a man or woman on a plane?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Man

23.7%

29.3%

Woman

76.3%

70.7%

24. Would you enjoy connecting socially with other passengers while on-board? For example being able to chat or play games with them electronically?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

53.0%

36.7%

No

47.0%

63.3%

25. Would you get dressed up to fly?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

35.5%

33.3%

No

64.5%

66.7%

26. Would you want to fly on a special “Holiday flight” that served free hot cocoa, spiked eggnog, and warm apple cider along with freshly baked gingerbread cookies, while playing classic holiday movies for in-flight entertainment?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

83.0%

64.1%

No

17.0%

35.9%

27. Would you take a hotel room with a bad view for a cheaper room rate?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

91.0%

79.3%

No

9.0%

20.7%

28. Would you select a seat with less legroom for a lower fare?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

51.4%

37.5%

No

48.6%

62.5%

29. Would you pay more for a flight if it were guaranteed to be on time?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

27.5%

21.6%

No

72.5%

78.4%

30. Would you forego maid service, room service and other amenities for a cheaper room rate?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

79.7%

69.5%

No

20.3%

30.5%

31. Would you pay more for a seat on a flight with your own personal electrical outlet?

Answer Options

Millennial

Generation X

Yes

21.6%

15.5%

No

78.4%

84.5%

32. Would you pay more for a flight with a menu from a celebrity chef?

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